The 2012 NFL draft is going to be stacked with a ton of difference-makers on the defensive side of the ball. You have five or six cornerbacks with first-round talent, a bunch of outside linebackers that promise to wreak havoc against opposing quarterbacks and a stead of elite defensive linemen.
Today, I am going to give you an in-depth analysis of the best defensive players in the 2012 NFL draft. Additionally, I will provide you will projects of where they are going to go in April and what to expect from them in the NFL.
1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford
2. St. Louis Rams: Morris Claiborne, CB, Louisiana State
Morris Claiborne is already a better cover corner than his former teammate Patrick Peterson. He possesses fluid hips on the outside, has a great understanding of how to play the position and reads the quarterbacks eyes really good.
One thing that makes Claiborne so good is the fact he can play solid football in both press and zone coverage. This will enable the St. Louis Rams the ability to adapt his talents to their defensive scheme.
Despite injures, the Rams don't have the necessary talent in the secondary to have a top-tier defense. The hiring of Jeff Fisher will make this a primary focus this offseason, you can bank on that.
3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, Southern California
4. Cleveland Browns: Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama
6. Washington Redskins: Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor
7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame
8. Carolina Panthers: Michael Brockers, DT, Louisiana State
The redshirt sophomore is an absolute stud on the defensive line. Michael Brockers has all the athletic ability to be dominating in the NFL, speed, size and strength. He might still be a little bit raw, but the former LSU standout will be electrifying when he fully understands the nuances of the game at this level.
Opposing offenses ran through the Carolina Panthers this season. A lot of that had to do with injuries to their linebacker group, but their defensive line is in complete shambles right now, the interior of it specifically.
Brockers will give them that young anchor along the defensive line to build on.
9. Miami Dolphins: Courtney Upshaw, LB, Alabama
The former Alabama stud possesses an amazing burst off the snap and recognizes when and where to go when blitzing. A lot of this has to do with the pro-style defense run by Nick Saban at Alabama. It also means Upshaw will have an immediate impact as a pass-rusher in the NFL.
While Miami could go in a multitude of different directions here, it will go with the best player available. No matter what specific scheme that Joe Philbin runs, Upshaw will be a fit. He can play in both the 3-4 and 4-3.
10. Buffalo Bills: Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina
I really flirted with going along the offensive line here, but couldn't ignore the Bills' need on defense. They struggled a great deal in the front seven throughout the season, and much of this had to do with a lack of pass rush.
Quinton Coples, while a risk, provides them with that pass-rushing defensive end they have been missing. He can also drop back and play with his hands up in specific situations, which is a huge plus.
Buffalo was hurt with the Dolphins' selection of Courtney Upshaw at No. 9.
11. Seattle Seahawks: Devon Still, DT, Penn State
While I am still a big fan of Brandon Mebane, the Seahawks could still use some help along the interior of their defensive line. This is already an extremely talented team, so Seattle can afford to go with value here with the 11th pick.
Devon Still provides that value. His amazing upper body strength will be a perfect complement to Mebane and enable the Seahawks to somewhat clone the success San Francisco had this season against the run.
12. Kansas City Chiefs: David DeCastro, G, Stanford
13. Arizona Cardinals: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford
14. Dallas Cowboys: Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska
The former Nebraska standout is one of my favorite players from the defensive side of the ball in the draft. He has elite athleticism on the outside, has the ability to play press coverage and is as physical as they come at the corner position.
The Dallas Cowboys have an immediate need in the secondary. Terence Newman is probably going to be a salary cap casualty and injuries continue to plague Mike Jenkins. Additionally, Alan Ball is set to be a free agent. This will be a primary need for Dallas in the draft even if it adds a veteran through free agency.
15. Philadelphia Eagles: Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College
To say the Philadelphia Eagles struggled tackling this season would be a gross understatement. They were absolutely horrible. In fact, they lost multiple games because of this.
Luke Kuechly is the surest tackler from the inside linebacker position in the draft. While he might not be a sexy pick, this is a player the Philadelphia Eagles desperately need. Additionally, this position is extremely weak in the 2012 NFL draft, so it makes sense to get the best player available.
16. New York Jets: Chris Polk, RB, Washington
17. Cincinnati Bengals: Lamar Miller, RB, Miami
18. San Diego Chargers: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa
19. Chicago Bears: Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina
20. Tennessee Titans: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor
21. Cincinnati Bengals: Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois
The Bengals defense exceeded expectations a great deal this season. A great infusion of young players and veterans worked extremely well for Mike Zimmer and Co. After getting their franchise running back earlier in this draft, the Bengals are in a position to go best player available here.
Whitney Mercilus dominated Big Ten offenses all season, leading the nation in sacks. Getting a player of his ability in their 4-3 scheme will go a long way in the Bengals closing the gap between themselves and the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers.
22. Cleveland Browns: Zach Brown, LB, North Carolina
Zach Brown is one of the fastest linebackers I have seen come down the pike in a long time. He reminds me of Patrick Willis when it comes to this. Despite his athleticism, Brown is able to fend off blockers and get to the ball-carrier in short order. One of his best attribute is being able to get in the offensive backfield on blitzes.
The Cleveland Browns could sure use some more athleticism in their front seven. While they have multiple needs on the offensive side of the ball, it makes perfect sense for the Browns to go with the athleticism that the former North Carolina star brings here.
23. Detroit Lions: Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina
Drew Brees pretty much destroyed opposing secondaries all season. However, this was magnified when he went up against the Detroit Lions twice this season. More than that, the Lions secondary continually struggled against lesser competition.
Stephon Gilmore is going to be a top-tier corner in the NFL and might not be available here when the draft comes in April. He is really strong in man coverage and uses his exceptional athleticism to make plays consistently. Additionally, Gilmore provides a strong return game on special teams.
24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Dont'a Hightower, LB, Alabama
James Farrior isn't getting any younger, which means the Pittsburgh Steelers will eventually have to find a replacement for him moving forward. Vontaze Burfict would seem like a great fit here, but I am not incredibly sold on him at this point.
If it weren't for injury concerns Dont'a Hightower would have been a top-10 pick this season. He was nothing short of amazing for Alabama over the course of his career there. This seems like a perfect match to me.
25. Denver Broncos: Dre' Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama
With Champ Bailey struggling to stay healthy and getting a little long in the tooth, Denver will have to find a replacement. Additionally, the Broncos don't really have a ton of young talent in the defensive secondary to pair up with that amazing front seven.
Dre' Kirkpatrick might translate more as a free safety in the NFL, but it is hard to discount the talent he possesses. If the former Alabama star doesn't cut it at corner, the position that Denver will surely draft him to play, he can always move.
26. Houston Texans: Dontari Poe, NT, Memphis
Dontari Poe is as physically dominating of an athlete that I have seen from a player his size. He is exceptionally strong, utilizes a great bull rush, maintains the line against double teams and fills gaps with the best of them.
The Houston Texans had a great amount of success in their first season running a 3-4 defense despite the fact that they didn't have a true net tackle for that scheme. Getting a player like Poe will make this defense just that much more dominating.
27. New England Patriots: Janoris Jenkins, CB, Northern Alabama
The Patriots might win the Super Bowl with a lackluster secondary, but that really isn't the norm in the NFL. I am pretty sure their front office understands this a great deal. In short, they need to get younger and more talented there.
Janoris Jenkins is one of the most talented defensive players in the draft. He has a chance to be a true shutdown corner in the NFL. That said, he will have to go into the right situation in order to succeed because of a myriad of character concerns. New England has the structure and foundation in place to help him succeed as a man and a player.
28. Green Bay Packers: Nick Perry, LB, Southern California
Just imagine the Packers adding another pass-rusher opposite Clay Matthews. This alone would make their secondary better. Obviously ,they are going to have to upgrade on multiple levels on the defensive side of the ball, but I envision them going with value here.
Nick Perry has the speed to get around the corner, sheds blocker with the best of them and already has multiple pass-rushing moves.
29. Baltimore Ravens: Mark Barron, S, Alabama
Ed Reed contemplated retirement a couple seasons ago and isn't getting any younger. There is no telling when the future Hall of Fame safety is going to hang up the cleats. They will need to find a replacement for him in order to maintain this high level of excellence on the defensive side of the ball.
Mark Barron translates much better as a strong safety, which fits the Ravens need a great deal at this point. That said, it does remain possible that he could play the free side if he is able to work with Reed.
30. San Francisco 49ers: Melvin Ingram, LB, South Carolina
This is most definitely not a pick based on need, it is all about value. San Francisco could "reach" for a second-tier wide receiver or cornerback here, but that doesn't really seem to fit the M.O. of this new front office. Additionally, the 49ers' newfound success enables them to look solely at value to an extent.
Melvin Ingram would give the 49ers a dominating pass-rusher opposite of Aldon Smith, making this front seven the best in the modern history of the league. How is that for value?
31. New York Giants: Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State
32. New England Patriots: Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State
The New England Patriots are definitely going to go to the defensive side of the ball with a multitude of their picks this draft. There really is no other way to cut it.
Jerel Worthy gives them another solid young player in the front seven to help complement what they already have on the roster.
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